Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
In the space of four days last month Collie trainer Brian Wheeler produced Bettor Move Along for two wins at Gloucester Park, and at headquarters on Friday night Wheeler was to the fore again when his six-year-old pacer Follow Rocknroll was an impressive winner of the $21,000 Westside Auto All Makes And Models Pace.
Follow Rocknroll is a year younger than his half-brother Bettor Move Along, who will be back in action in race four at Pinjarra on Monday afternoon.
The two Wheeler-trained pacers are the first two foals out of unraced mare Rocknroll Royalty, and have been consistent performers, with Follow Rocknroll earning $75,865 from nine wins and 17 placings from 5 starts.
Wheeler’s son Trent had driven Follow Rocknroll at six of the gelding’s eight wins before Friday night’s race, but he opted to drive at the Bunbury meeting where he landed a double with Ta In Advance and Jackpot Joe.
Stuart McDonald was more than happy to handle Follow Rocknroll for the first time, and he drove patiently before getting the $7 chance home with a strong burst to win comfortably by 4m from the $1.70 favourite Vanderbilt, rating a smart 1.55.9 over 2130m.
Follow Rocknroll raced in seventh position, four back on the pegs, before McDonald was able to ease him into the one-wide line at the bell. Follow Rocknroll was hampered for room in the back straight before he got into the clear and started a three and four-wide burst approaching the home turn. He got to the front with 130m to travel.
Vanderbilt, who started from the outside (barrier No. 8) on the front line, raced three wide in the middle stages before taking a narrow lead 420m from home. He will pay to follow.
Follow Rocknroll’s win completed a double for McDonald, who was successful in the previous event with Triroyale Brigade. McDonald continued in winning vein when he scored with nine-year-old gelding Second Amendment in a 2190m event at Northam on Saturday night.